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Wednesday evening news briefing: George Floyd protests reach London

Protesters hold placards and shout slogans as they march during the anti-racism demonstration in central London following the death of George Floyd - Tolga Akmen/AFP
Protesters hold placards and shout slogans as they march during the anti-racism demonstration in central London following the death of George Floyd - Tolga Akmen/AFP

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Thousands chant 'no justice' for Floyd in London

Several hundred protesters are marching through London as part of the Black Lives Matter movement after eight days of protests in the US over the death of an unarmed black man in police custody. Demonstrations have broken out across the US following the death of George Floyd, who died after a white officer held him down by pressing a knee into his neck in Minneapolis on May 25. These scenes have now crossed the Atlantic as British protesters blocked Park Lane by Hyde Park, stopping traffic including at least 10 double-decker buses before heading south. Star Wars actor John Boyega gave a speech to demonstrators and chief constables from across the UK have issued a joint statement saying they "stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified". However, officers have expressed concern that the gatherings would make it difficult to maintain social distancing. Click here for the latest and more striking images of the demonstrations.

At Prime Minister's Questions, Boris Johnson said he was "appalled" by the "inexcusable" killing of Mr Floyd. Protests are expected to continue later in the US. It emerged demonstrators in New York City were trapped on the Manhattan Bridge by police as they defied an 8pm city-wide curfew. Our liveblog will have the latest through the night. In this personal account, Minneapolis resident Venessa Fuentes outlines why Mr Floyd's death is a tipping point and how this new civil rights movement is cross-class, cross-race, cross-generational.

Patel fends off attacks as she lays out quarantine plan

Priti Patel has set out the Government's plans for a blanket approach to quarantine, with international arrivals subject to a 14-day period of isolation and no air bridges on the horizon until the first review at the end of the month. The Home Secretary fended off criticism from several senior Conservative MPs, saying the measures were necessary and backed by the public. Wizz Air's boss slammed the "bizarre" plan but it has emerged Britain has opened talks to establish air bridges with Portugal, France, Greece and Spain. In this evening's Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said: "We must make sure we don’t reimport the virus from abroad." The measures come after a fiery exchange between Mr Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer during today's PMQs. Parliamentary sketchwriter Michael Deacon writes Mr Johnson seems to have forgotten the Opposition's job is to question and criticise.

Fifth of Britons admit to breaking lockdown rules

A fifth of Britons are sticking to lockdown less than they were, with rule-breakers across the country citing Dominic Cummings as the reason they are leaving the house more, a poll has shown. New data from YouGov shows that 21 per cent of Britons are breaking lockdown more than they were before, with a third of those relaxing their attitude naming the PM's chief aide as the reason. It remains to be seen how residents in Southend will react to a notice from their local council telling them they cannot park outside their own houses as the McDonald's drive thru reopens in the town, in order to make way for the queues.

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At a glance: More coronavirus headlines

Also in the news today

Paedophile hunters | Vigilante groups are effectively working as undercover agents for the police and prosecutors, who give them "tacit encouragement" by regularly using their evidence, the Supreme Court has been told. A Scottish man who was snared by a paedophile hunter's undercover sting operation brought an appeal before the highest court in Britain, claiming his right to privacy had been violated.

You Are Not Alone - Getting you through the crisis

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  2. Cheers to that! | Why I'm not missing after-work drinks

  3. Letting hair 'wash itself' | Does no-shampoo method really work or is it just froth?

Comment and analysis

Video: Journalist assaulted live on air in London

A news reporter was allegedly assaulted live on air in London during Adelaide's six o'clock evening news bulletin. Sophie Walsh who is 9 News' Europe correspondent was in the middle of a live piece to camera in London's Hyde Park reporting on the Paris and London Black Lives Matter protests when the incident took place. Watch the incident unfold.

Business and money briefing

No-deal planning warning | Britain's largest banks have been told to step up their plans for a no-deal Brexit amid rising fears the UK could crash out of the EU without a deal. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey reportedly told bank bosses on a private call they must be ready for the UK and EU to not reach a trade agreement. Read on for details.

World news: The one story you must read today...

Beijing strikes back | China today accused Britain of a "colonial mentality" after Boris Johnson promised to let up to three million Hong Kongers into the UK if Beijing proceeds with a controversial national security law. The comments came after Mr Johnson wrote an article saying Britain could not "shrug our shoulders" if the Chinese Communist Party imposes a law that would crush dissent. Read on for details.

Sport briefing

Historic broadcast | The BBC's first ever live Premier League match is likely to be Bournemouth v Crystal Palace, The Telegraph can reveal. The historic broadcast has been pencilled in for a Saturday night primetime slot at 7.45pm on June 20, subject to final ratification. We can also disclose the first Premier League fixture of the resumed season is likely to be Aston Villa v Sheffield United on June 17. Here is a guide on how to watch free-to-air games on Sky and Amazon Prime.

Tonight's TV

Cardinal: Until the Night, BBC Two, 9pm & 9.45pm | A survivor from the days when every TV network was desperate to cash in on the lust for Scandi Noir, this Canadian crime drama deserves a bigger audience. Read on for more.

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Simon & Garfunkel's downfall | In 1981, a feuding Simon & Garfunkel tried to return from "the boulevard of broken duos" with a huge New York gig. Then the fighting began. Click here for the inside story of the Central Park concert that tore them apart.